The Wisdom behind Fasting 

One of the Names of Allaah is Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise), Allaah is All-Wise in what He decrees, what He commands, what He prohibits, what He predestines and what He legislates. Allaah may make people aware of the wisdom behind certain matters or He may conceal it, or may make only some people realize the wisdom and not all people. 

In all cases, a believer is obliged to submit to his Lord and His decrees and commands even if he does not recognize the wisdom behind them, as Allaah says that which means: “It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair.” [Quran: 33: 36]. 

One of the commands of Allaah which He made people partly aware of the wisdom behind it, is fasting. Fasting has many inwardly and outwardly benefits, on the individual and the community. The following are some of these benefits which can be recognized by reason: 

Attaining piety: Allaah says that which means: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become pious” [Quran: 2: 183].

Diminishing the strength of ones desires: Eating to one’s fill and quenching the thirst and enjoying one’s wife all the time can lead one to heedlessness and to ingratitude.

Focusing on the mention of Allaah and pondering: Continual fulfillment of desires makes one hard-hearted and blinds him from the right path. It also prevents the slave from mentioning Allaah and reflecting upon His signs and creation, all of which leads to heedlessness.

Narrowing the passage of the devil: Satan runs in the blood of the son of Aadam and fasting narrows his passage and thus lessens his effects, reduces one’s desires and calms one’s anger.

Strengthening One’s willpower and determination: One, who can tolerate the pain of hunger and thirst and controls himself from having a sexual relation with his spouse whilst fasting, will strengthen his determination and willpower. This frees the person from being enslaved to his lusts and desires that are harmful to him.

Breaking one out of his regular routine: Some people lose their temper and become ill-mannered if their meal was delayed from its normal time or if they do not drink their morning coffee or afternoon tea. They have become so accustomed to a certain routine that changing it creates a problem for them. Such people are slaves to their routine and habits, and fasting helps the person overcome this behavior.

Realizing the size of the bounties of Allaah: Fasting makes rich people appreciate the favors of Allaah upon him, because Allaah has granted him what He has deprived many other poor people from. Refraining from such bounties and blessings for a short period through fasting, reminds the rich with those who are continuously deprived, and thus become grateful to Allaah and more merciful towards the needy.

A communal act of worship: This act of worship must be practiced by the entire Muslim community in the east and the west. The entire Muslim nation fast this month, even the ones who are normally disobedient fast during Ramadhaan in most cases. This increases the righteous environment which facilitates repentance to many people.

Increases the sense of honesty:  The one who breaks the fast is breaching the pledge with Allaah and thus fasting improves and increases his sense of honesty when he refrains from anything that could break his fast even whilst in seclusion.

Medical benefits: Fasting protects the person from many diseases with the will of Allaah. Modern research proved that fasting has many health benefits, such as:

·    It organizes the person’s heart-beat and relaxes it since no blood is needed for digestion.

·    It purifies the blood from fat and cholesterol and acids.

·     It relieves the liver from the regular pressure.

·     It reduces the production of the digestive glands which is usually the cause for ulcers.

·    It protects the person from gaining weight, diabetes, kidney stones.

·    It reduces the pressure on the heart arteries. 

Some people are unable to fast due to their sickness, and thus Allaah permitted them to break their fast whilst sick and mandated that they make up for the days they missed. Allaah says that which means: “So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them]-then an equal number of days [are to be made up]” [Quran: 2: 184].